Golf club protector capable of carrying golf accessories

ABSTRACT

The present invention teaches a golf club protector capable of carrying one or more golf accessories, such as a golf ball, a tee holder, or a grass trimmer, comprising: an animal-like body having a mouth for receiving a golf club head, said mouth comprising an upper portion and a lower portion; a cavity for receiving one or more said golf accessories, said cavity being disposed in said mouth; and means for joining said upper portion and said lower portion. The means for joining are, for example, one or more magnet(s), a magnetic tape, or a zipper. The upper portion and the lower portion, when taken together, form an open state or a closed state. The cavity for receiving the golf accessories comprises one or more holding member(s) such as a narrow clamp, a wide clamp, and a holding pocket.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Pursuant to 35 U.S.C § 119 and the Paris Convention Treaty, this application claims the benefit of Chinese Patent Application No. CN 200720118246.4 filed Jan. 29, 2007, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to golf club protectors, and more particularly, to protectors capable of carrying golf accessories.

2. Description of the Related Art

Nowadays, various kinds of golf club protectors are available commercially. These protectors are designed mainly from the viewpoints of functionality and practicality; namely, to shield the head and shaft of a golf club when not in use so as to prevent the golf clubs from striking and impacting against each other in a golf bag. However, these protectors often have a dull appearance and lack of visual characteristics that many golf players desire. Accordingly, many other kinds of golf club protectors characterized in animal-like appearance have been provided, normally comprising an animal-head-like head enclosure having a cavity for receiving and protecting the head of a golf club and an animal-body-like shaft clamp for protecting the shaft of a golf club, or a portion thereof. The head enclosure and the shaft clamp are formed integrally. A mouth for receiving the head of a golf club is disposed in the head enclosure.

Besides, in golfing, a golf player must carry many golf accessories, such as golf balls, a tee holder, a grass trimmer, and so on, to meet the requirement of different golf areas and to satisfy the play for different distance shots with different types of clubs, known as woods, irons, and putters. The conventional way to carry these accessories is to put them into the golf bag together with the golf clubs; however, because these accessories are short and small, it is difficult to pick them from among other golf accessories when they are to be used, just like looking for a needle in a haystack. Another option is to put the accessories into a separate golf tool box; however, it is inconvenient to carry a separate tool box. Accordingly, much opportunity in the area of golf club protector design remains.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an objective of the present invention to provide an animal-like golf club protector capable of carrying accessories and having the characteristics of practicality, aesthetics, and convenience.

To achieve the above objective, a golf club protector capable of carrying one or more golf accessories comprises an animal-like body having a mouth for receiving a golf club head, the mouth comprising an upper portion and a lower portion; a cavity for receiving one or more the golf accessories, the cavity being disposed in the mouth; and means for joining the upper portion and the lower portion.

In certain embodiments, the means for joining are: one or more magnet(s), a magnetic tape, or a zipper.

In certain embodiments, the upper portion and the lower portion, when taken together, form an open state or a closed state.

In certain embodiments, the cavity for receiving the golf accessories comprises one or more holding member(s).

In certain embodiments, the holding member is selected from the group consisting of a narrow clamp, a wide clamp, and a holding pocket.

In certain embodiments, one or more the golf accessories are selected from the group consisting of a golf ball, a tee holder, and a grass trimmer.

As a result, the golf club protector of the present invention is not only capable of preventing golf clubs from striking and impacting against each other, but also is capable of carrying the major golf accessories such as a golf ball, a tee holder, a grass trimmer, and so on. The accessories in the golf club protector can be placed safely and reliably, and are easy for the golf player to pick out and use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The objects and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent after reading the ensuing descriptions of the non-limiting illustrative embodiments and viewing the accompanying drawings, in which

FIG. 1 illustrates a golf club protector with a closed mouth in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a golf club protector with an open mouth in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 3 illustrates a golf club protector with an open mouth in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

As shown in FIGS. 1-3, a golf club protector in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention comprises an animal-like body comprising an animal-head-like head enclosure 1 and an animal-body-like shaft clamp 2, wherein the head enclosure 1 and the shaft clamp 2 are formed integrally. The inner layer defining a cavity of the head enclosure 1 is made of rigid or soft elastic material and the outer layer of the head enclosure 1 is made of soft material. In certain embodiments, the outer layer is made of knit synthetic fur or the like, and is printed and dyed with highly simulated animal head patterns presenting lifelike postures of the head of an animal, and is thus esthetically pleasing. A mouth 3 for receiving the head of a golf club is disposed in the head enclosure 1. The head of a golf club is insertable through the mouth 3 into the cavity for receiving and protecting the head of a golf club when the golf club is not in use. The inner layer of the head enclosure is made of soft cushioning material, so that the head of a golf club is protected effectively and securely.

A cavity for accomodating the accessories is formed in the mouth 3 of the head enclosure, the mouth 3 comprises an upper portion and a lower portion capable of forming together two states of open and closed by means of joining elements such as magnet(s), magnetic tape, or zipper. The inner surface of the cavity comprises a plurality of holding members for holding the accessories. In one embodiment, the holding members are formed in the shape of a narrow clamp 5 for holding a tee holder 4, as shown in FIG. 2. In another embodiment, the holding members are formed in the shape of a wide clamp 7 for holding a grass trimmer 7, as shown in FIG. 3. In yet another embodiment, the holding members are formed in the shape of a holding pocket (not shown in the Figs) for holding a golf ball. In further embodiments, the holding members are formed in the shape of a combination of one or more of the following: a narrow clamp, a wide clamp, or a holding pocket. The holding clamps and holding pockets can be arranged transversely or longitudinally.

While particular embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the invention in its broader aspects, and, therefore, the aim in the appended claims is to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. 

1. A golf club protector capable of carrying one or more golf accessories comprising an animal-like body having a mouth for receiving a golf club head, said mouth comprising an upper portion and a lower portion; a cavity for receiving one or more said golf accessories, said cavity being disposed in said mouth; and means for joining said upper portion and said lower portion.
 2. The protector of claim 1, wherein said means for joining are: one or more magnet(s), a magnetic tape, or a zipper.
 3. The protector of claim 1, wherein said upper portion and said lower portion, when taken together, form an open state or a closed state.
 4. The protector of claim 1, wherein said cavity for receiving the golf accessories comprises one or more holding member(s).
 5. The protector of claim 4, wherein said holding member is selected from the group consisting of a narrow clamp, a wide clamp, and a holding pocket.
 6. The protector of claim 1, wherein one or more said golf accessories are selected from the group consisting of a golf ball, a tee holder, and a grass trimmer. 